"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned ..." —Isaiah 43:1-2
I walk through these woods this morning, a north wind blowing and tall pines creaking, sycamores surrendering their giant leaves, all nature swaying to the rhythm of at last a changing season, I bring my burdens to the Lord — my pleadings,
“how long, O Lord??”
— And yes for me but not just for me. For wounded people I deeply love. For some to whom it seems the pain never ends.
The wind whips up words into a path before me I’ve walked a thousand times. Words my heart hears as an invitation:
Just around the bend.
Oh let it be, Lord. Let that be the hope lent to the labored and heavy laden by your Holy Spirit and not just the yearnings of human imagination. And let it be for all who are weary, for all who have long prayed.
Oh let it be, Lord Jesus, for every brother and sister who dares to keep walking into an uncertain future, faithing, hoping, praying. Let some answers to petitions long pled be waiting for each of us
just around the bend.
I continue this week with deep sense of my helplessness overall. I turned to reading Marcus Aurelius:
“If it is not right, do not do it, if it is not true, do not say it," and "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one".
Father, help us believe that healing is possible. Give us hope about the future, not because of how we feel or because of any sign of change, but because You are good. You are our Rescuer & our Healer. We believe You can restore our hearts & redeem the broken parts of our lives.
The main thing you need to tell your soul in the dark place is, 'I am loved by God.'
"I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done." // Psalm 118:17
God will move heaven and earth to bring you into the hope and future he has for you.